Athletic apparel

ABSTRACT

Athletic apparel is configured to apply resistance to a human user having a first arm, a second arm, a first leg and a second leg. The athletic apparel includes a shirt further comprising performance fabric formed into a sleeves and a body having rigid fabric collar. A first front resistance band, a first rear resistance band, a first front arm band, a first rear arm band and a first shoulder resistance band are attached to the shirt and configured to render resistance onto the first arm within the shirt. A second front resistance band, a second rear resistance band, a second front arm band, a second rear arm band and a second shoulder resistance band are attached to the shirt and configured to render resistance onto the second arm within the shirt.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 61/818,152 filed on May 1, 2013, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to personal apparel and clothing.

Prior to embodiments of the disclosed invention, many people who wished to exercise and to receive maximum benefit from that exercise were thwarted by ineffective clothing. The prior art includes U.S. Patent Application 2013/0067628 filed by Harb; U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,114 issued to Williams; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,645 issued to Dicker.

Harb teaches clothing with a single resistance band across both arms and shoulders which requires the band being configured to fit around a user's thumbs. This awkward arrangement creates much exercise for a user's thumbs but is less effective for the rest of the body. Williams teaches exercise clothing with pants having a resistance band that fits beneath a user's foot. Again, this stretches a user's foot, but is ineffective for the rest of the legs. Dicker teaches an exercise suit with a disproportionate amount of resistance bands in the torso. There are a limited number of exercises where Dicker would be useful. Embodiments of the disclosed invention solve these problems.

SUMMARY

Athletic apparel is configured to apply resistance to a human user having a first arm, a second arm, a first leg and a second leg. The athletic apparel has a shirt further comprising performance fabric formed into a first sleeve, a second sleeve and a body. An upper end of the body terminates at rigid fabric collar. A first adjustable wrist strap is mechanically coupled to a first distal point on the first sleeve. A second adjustable wrist strap is mechanically coupled to a second distal point on the second sleeve. A first front resistance band, a first rear resistance band, a first front arm band, a first rear arm band and a first shoulder resistance band are attached to the shirt and configured to render resistance onto the first arm within the shirt. A second front resistance band, a second rear resistance band, a second front arm band, a second rear arm band and a second shoulder resistance band are attached to the shirt and configured to render resistance onto the second arm within the shirt.

In some embodiments, the first front resistance band can extend from the first shoulder resistance band across a subscapularis and a clavicle of the human user before terminating at the rigid fabric collar. The first rear resistance band can extend from the first shoulder resistance band across an infraspinius and an acromion of the human user before terminating at rigid fabric collar.

The first front arm band can extend from the first shoulder resistance band along a bicep and a flexor pollicis longus muscle of the human user to the first adjustable wrist strap. The first rear arm band can extends from the first shoulder resistance band along a tricep and a flexor carpi ulnaris muscle of the human user to the first adjustable wrist strap.

In some embodiments, shirt belt loops are mechanically coupled to a lower end on the body. Pants can be worn proximate the shirt and further comprise a first pant leg and a second pant leg joined at a waist. Pant belt loops can be attached to an upper portion of the pants. The shirt belt loops and the pant belt loops can be configured to be joined with a belt.

In some embodiments, the first pant leg can be attached to a first front leg resistance band that is configured to extend from the pant belt loops past a rectus femoris muscle and a tibialis anterior muscle on the human user before terminating at a first adjustable ankle strap. The first pant leg can be attached to a first rear leg resistance band that is configured to extend from the pant belt loops past a semimembranosus muscle and a soleus muscle on the human user before terminating at the first adjustable ankle strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a front exploded view of the invention

FIG. 2 is a rear exploded view of the invention

FIG. 3 is a section view of the invention, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the invention, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the invention, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present system comprises shirt 10 attached to pants 12. Shirt 10 comprises performance fabric 14 formed into a first sleeve, a second sleeve and a body. The sleeves terminate in a first adjustable wrist strap 22 at a first distal point and a second adjustable wrist strap 22 at a second distal point that are configured to wrap around the circumference of a human wrist. An upper end of the body terminates at rigid fabric collar 20. As used in this application, a rigid fabric is one that would failure prior to reaching 110% length deformation under axial loading. A lower end of the body terminates in shirt belt loops 26.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show shirt resistance bands 16 sewn within shirt 10 as follows: a first shoulder resistance band 16 configured to wrap around a portion of the acromion and below at least some of both of the infraspinius and subscapularis on a human user. A second shoulder resistance band 16 is likewise arranged on the opposite shoulder. This arrangement creates resistance to rotational arm movement which can occur, for instance, while a user is running

A first front resistance band 16 extends from the first shoulder resistance band 16 across the subscapularis and clavicle of the user before terminating at rigid fabric collar 20. A first rear resistance band 16 extends from the first shoulder resistance band 16 across the infraspinius and the acromion of the user before terminating at rigid fabric collar 20.

A second front resistance band 16 extends from the second shoulder resistance band 16 across the subscapularis and clavicle of the user before terminating at rigid fabric collar 20. A second rear resistance band 16 extends from the second shoulder resistance band 16 across the infraspinius and the acromion of the user before terminating at rigid fabric collar 20.

A first front arm band 16 extends from the first shoulder resistance band 16 along the bicep and flexor pollicis longus muscle of a human user to the first adjustable wrist strap 22. A first rear arm band 16 extends from the first shoulder resistance band 16 along the tricep and flexor carpi ulnaris muscle of a human user to the first adjustable wrist strap 22. Collectively, the first front resistance band 16, the first rear resistance band 16, the first front arm band 16, the first rear arm band 16 and the first shoulder resistance band 16 operate to render about five pounds of resistance on a first arm.

A second front arm band 16 extends from the second shoulder resistance band 16 along the bicep and flexor pollicis longus muscle of a human user to the second adjustable wrist strap 22. A second rear arm band 16 extends from the second shoulder resistance band 16 along the tricep and flexor carpi ulnaris muscle of a human user to the second adjustable wrist strap 22. Collectively, the second front resistance band 16, the second rear resistance band 16, the second front arm band 16, the second rear arm band 16 and the second shoulder resistance band operate to render about five pounds of resistance on a second arm.

In some embodiments, it may be preferable to use only anterior resistance bands 16 or posterior resistance bands 16. For instance, in an anterior configuration, the first front resistance band 16, the first rear resistance band 16, the first front arm band 16, the first rear arm band 16, the first shoulder resistance band 16, the second front resistance band 16, the second rear resistance band 16, the second front arm band 16, the second rear arm band 16 and the second shoulder resistance band 16 are utilized. Likewise, in a posterior configuration, the first rear resistance band 16, the first rear resistance band 16, the first rear arm band 16, the first rear arm band 16, the first shoulder resistance band 16, the second rear resistance band 16, the second rear resistance band 16, the second rear arm band 16, the second rear arm band 16 and the second shoulder resistance band 16 are utilized.

Turning to the pants 14, pants 14 have a first leg and a second leg joined at a waist. The waist terminates in pant belt loops 28. Pant belt loops 28 can be joined to shirt belt loops 26 with a belt to prevent shirt 12 from moving distant pants 14. Connecting shirt 12 and pants 14 in this manner is unique in the art as Harb offers no connecting theory at all and Williams has two adjacent but unconnected belts. The first pant leg terminates in first adjustable ankle strap 24. The second pant leg terminates in second adjustable ankle strap 24.

A first front leg resistance band 18 extends from pant belt loops 28 past the rectus femoris muscle and the tibialis anterior muscle before terminating at first adjustable ankle strap 24. A first rear leg resistance band 18 extends from belt loops 28 past the semimembranosus muscle and the soleus muscle before terminating at first adjustable ankle strap 24. Collectively, the first front leg resistance band 18 and the first rear leg resistance band 18 operate to render about eight pounds of resistance on a first leg.

A second front leg resistance band 18 extends from pant belt loops 28 past the rectus femoris muscle and the tibialis anterior muscle before terminating at second adjustable ankle strap 24. A second rear leg resistance band 18 extends from belt loops 28 past the semimembranosus muscle and the soleus muscle before terminating at second adjustable ankle strap 24. Collectively, the second front leg resistance band 18 and the second rear leg resistance band 18 operate to render about eight pounds of resistance on a second leg.

In some embodiments, it may be preferable to use only anterior resistance bands 18 or posterior resistance bands 18. For instance, in an anterior configuration the first front leg resistance band 18 and the second front leg resistance band 18 are utilized. Likewise, in an anterior configuration, the first rear leg resistance band 18 and the second rear leg resistance band 18 are utilized.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 offer a few theories of sewing to assemble embodiments of the present invention. In general, leg resistance bands 18 are covered on all distal points with performance fabric 14. Performance fabric 14 can be any fabric commonly used in athletic wear, but this fabric should be capable of at least twenty percent plastic deformation under axial loading before failure. Shirt resistance bands 16 are covered at most distal points with performance fabric 14, however first front resistance band 16, first rear resistance band 16, second front resistance band 16 and second rear resistance band 16 are immediately adjacent to, and in some embodiments mechanically coupled to rigid fabric collar 20.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Athletic apparel configured to apply resistance to a human user having a first arm, a second arm, a first leg and a second leg; the athletic apparel comprising: a shirt further comprising performance fabric formed into a first sleeve, a second sleeve and a body; wherein an upper end of the body terminates at rigid fabric collar; a first adjustable wrist strap, mechanically coupled to a first distal point on the first sleeve; a second adjustable wrist strap, mechanically coupled to a second distal point on the second sleeve; a first front resistance band, a first front arm band, and a first shoulder resistance band attached to the shirt and configured to render resistance onto the first arm within the shirt wherein the first front resistance band extends from the first shoulder resistance band across a subscapularis and a clavicle of the human user before terminating at the rigid fabric collar.
 2. The athletic apparel of claim 1, further comprising, first rear arm band and a first rear resistance band attached to the shirt.
 3. The athletic apparel of claim 2, wherein the first rear resistance band extends from the first shoulder resistance band across an infraspinius and an acromion of the human user before terminating at rigid fabric collar.
 4. The athletic apparel of claim 3, wherein the first front arm band extends from the first shoulder resistance band along a bicep and a flexor pollicis longus muscle of the human user to the first adjustable wrist strap.
 5. The athletic apparel of claim 4, wherein the first rear arm band extends from the first shoulder resistance band along a tricep and a flexor carpi ulnaris muscle of the human user to the first adjustable wrist strap.
 6. The athletic apparel of claim 1, further comprising: a second front resistance band, a second rear resistance band, a second front arm band, a second rear arm band and a second shoulder resistance band attached to the shirt and configured to render resistance onto the second arm within the shirt.
 7. The athletic apparel of claim 1, further comprising: shirt belt loops, mechanically coupled to a lower end on the body; pants, proximate the shirt and further comprising: a first pant leg and a second pant leg joined at a waist; pant belt loops attached to an upper portion of the pants; wherein the shirt belt loops and the pant belt loops are configured to be joined with a belt.
 8. The athletic apparel of claim 7, wherein the first pant leg is attached to a first front leg resistance band that is configured to extend from the pant belt loops past a rectus femoris muscle and a tibialis anterior muscle on the human user before terminating at a first adjustable ankle strap.
 9. The athletic apparel of claim 8, wherein the first pant leg is attached to a first rear leg resistance band that is configured to extend from the pant belt loops past a semimembranosus muscle and a soleus muscle on the human user before terminating at the first adjustable ankle strap. 